Key shortcuts in Windows

A shortcut key is a single or combination of key strokes on the keyboard that perform a certain function. They are great because they can make using your computer programs, like Word or Internet Explorer, quick and easy. Depending on what you usually do on your computer, you can memorize a small set of shortcuts that will make life easier on you.

For example, in most Windows programs the shortcut for cut is Ctrl+X, meaning press and hold the Control or Ctrl key then press the X key and let go of both.

Let’s say you are writing up an essay in Microsoft Word. You have written 3 amazing paragraphs about the Amazon. After writing the 3rd paragraph you do a quick glance at the content above and decide that the 2nd paragraph would make more sense at the bottom. You highlight all of the second paragraph with your mouse and you’re ready to cut to the clipboard. You could choose cut under the main menu in Word. Or you could right click somewhere on the highlighted text and choose cut. Or you could use the slightly faster short cut keys Ctrl+X.

Here are just a few shortcuts that will speed things up in text editors like Word and Notepad.